In Reply to: Re: Elephant in the room posted by azn_balla on April 09, 2024 at 16:46:44
I've been over this a million times, but staying in school carry risks that can reduce a player's NBA value significantly.
He can get injured.
He might not improve much. NBA scouts are skeptical of upperclassmen because they may have peaked. Younger players have much more potential. That's why most of the lottery picks are one and dones (13 of the top 17 last year).
There may be an influx of top international players taking up 1st round choices, too.
Other players who stay in school might improve more.
He might be a projected 2nd rounder this season, but that is just a consensus. It only takes one team that really likes him to take him earlier as what happened with Peyton Watson.
Finally, most of the first ten picks in the 2nd round get contracts worth much more than the 2-ways. For example, Sidy Cissoko, the 44th pick in 2023, signed a 3 year / $5,233,097 contract with the San Antonio Spurs, including $2,483,504 guaranteed. Maxwell Lewis, the 40th pick has a 4 year / $7,639,302 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, including $3,111,420 guaranteed.